"Do that and then get back to me. If you both want to be there for the discussion, I'm happy to accommodate."
The priestess reaches out and squeezes Zhi's hand. "I know this is an awkward time. Just talking about sex is a kind of vulnerability. I honor the passion that the two of you share. It is sacred. I will do my best to help."
Zileska nods and picks up her satchel when Melodie requests that she investigate the body, but she falls into step with Maria when the investigator takes charge.
"Tell me where to step and what not to touch," she says as she follows Maria to the scene of the crime. "Also... don't forget that tomorrow I can ask Calistria to bless me with the ability to ask questions of the dead."
She prepares for the examination with a quick prayer to Calistria for guidance in unearthing the particulars of this crime of passion.
Zileska's examination of the body reveals that Sutor died from a blow to the head with something round, like a club or mace. A closer inspection reveals that the wound is more hoof-shaped than weapon-shaped.
Once she's finished up her information gathering, Zhi returns to Melodie.
"I can't find anything that would point to anyone else," she says annoyed. "Everybody liked Sutor and everyone thought that Mayne was a cheat. Maybe he did kill him."
She looks around to be sure no one else is listening.
"Umm ... I talked a little to Zileska about ... umm ... about my ... about us ... "
She looks around again nervously.
"Mel, you know how much I hate not knowing ... how ... what ... I don't ... I hate flailing around in the dark."
Her face turns beet red.
"Ok, poor choice of words," she says with a giggle and a glance down at the lines still visible on Melodie's arms. "How would you feel about sitting down with Zileska and learning a little more about ... you know."
Sara reconvenes with the others, a little wide eyed and spooked. "I think this mule might be an actual devil."
"Gods, do you think the mule might have killed him? Zhi says in wonderment. She then shakes her head. "That might be just wishful thinking."
She looks down at the ground and then at Melodie.
"Sara, I wanted to apologize for last night at dinner. I wasn't ... I didn't mean ... "
She harrumphs.
"I do trust you," she continues. "I just ... I care about you and I worry about you. But there's ... there's no real need for the Raven to go to the Beggerwood."
She looks again at Melodie.
She shrugs. "I didn't say that it did, but it wouldn't surprise me. Damn animal bit me three times on the ass. Hope it gets butchered after this."
She doesn't immediately respond to the apology, turning away and pretending to be busy but after an uncomfortable silence, she replies, "you can still come with me if you want."
Zhi looks at Melodie with a questioning expression on her face.
"Ok, I will. Thank you," she says after a moment.
"Just as long as I'm not disrupting your time with Melodie and the Baron," she amends. "That, I feel, is more important."
"But yes, I'll sit down with you and Zil." She pauses for a second, "She probably knows more about stuff than we do anyway..."
"Is that possible? That it could be the mule that killed Sutor?" Melodie asks in surprise. "That would be strange to say the least. We should wait until the others get back and hear what they have to say - don't tell them about this until they've reported. Let's see what conclusions they come to first." She pauses and looks troubled. "Even if we're right, how do we prove it?"
Despite her preoccupation she hears Zhi's apology and flashes her girlfriend a big smile and mouths I love you, without even attempting to be subtle about it!
"Nicolaus ... The Baron ... has already told me that ... I've laid our intentions out to him and he said that he stands with us, whatever we choose to do."
She shifts nervously.
"Although, he did mention that he would like to verify the original stewardship agreement that the Lotheeds had with the Princess's family. As much as I would enjoy accompanying Melodie to visit with him and his daughter, it would be simply a pleasure trip and we still have a job to do. The Beggerwood is more important."
Zileska and Maria eventually return from their investigations.
"Well, I checked the wound. Blunt force trauma. First glance, it looked like a club. Closer investigation, probably a hoof."
Zhi's mouth opens in shock.
"A hoof?" She turns to Sara. "It looks like the devil ... I mean, the mule really did kill him! Oh. My. Gods!"
She looks around at the other ladies.
"That takes care of it. If ... if we can convince the villagers of the truth."
"As I mentioned to Maria, if we can get everyone to wait a day, I can petition Calistria for the ability to speak to the spirit of the departed and ask him a couple of questions."
Sara drops to a whisper. “That may have once been, but now we are asking him to openly work not only with us, but with the Night Swan. It is imperative that we send more than just one person, and you know him best. Go, Zhi. Or get the other girls to go in your place.”
At Zileska’s return, Sara palms her face in embarrassment. ”I hate farm animals.”
"If we're just waiting for that then ... then why don't we then send our masked agents down to the Beggerwood in the meantime. They don't need to be here for that."
She looks at Sara and then at Melodie for confirmation.
Sara drops to a whisper. “That may have once been, but now we are asking him to openly work not only with us, but with the Night Swan. It is imperative that we send more than just one person, and you know him best. Go, Zhi. Or get the other girls to go in your place.”
Zhi looks as if she's going to argue, but after a glance at Melodie she sighs in resignation.
"Ok. Mel and I will go and talk with the Baron. But we won't be able to do that until after tomorrow's ... " She glances at Zileksa for assurance "seance?"
Zileska makes a moue and rocks her head first to one side, then the other, then replies, "As good a term as any."
"Also, the villagers are predisposed to believe what they want to believe, and if we just tell them 'the mule did it' some of them might not believe us. We should pick out two or three of the most reliable and trusted to watch the 'seance.' Everyone will be able to hear the corpse speak. Maybe they'll think it's a trick, maybe not, but at least the villagers will have their own neighbors, people they know and trust, telling them 'I saw the corpse speak! And it said that the half-orc didn't do it!'"
"Note that if he was killed by surprise by the mule, like kicked while his back was turned, he won't be able to say who his killer was. We only get a couple of questions. They need to be phrased in a way that gets us the answer we need without the corpse replying 'I don't know' or further muddying the investigation."
Melodie stays out of the Zhi/Sara negotiation, not wanting to upset either of them by sticking her nose in where it isn't wanted.
Her reaction to Zileska's news is not as shocked as Zhi's but still surprised. "Yes, we'd better wait until tomorrow - we're going to need conclusive proof one way or the other..."
She returns to the Wolf's main room and addresses the people at large.
"After extensive evidence gathering it appears that Sutor's death may well have been an accident. Priestess Vestalina and Miss Greyson have concluded that he died from a blow to the back of the head, with a hoof-shaped weapon. Additionally Miss Burke, and I'm sure Sutor's family, attest that the donkey is an angry and vicious creature. I am minded to draw the obvious conclusion, that Sutor was killed by his own animal and that Mayne is innocent of murder."
She flings her arms wide to quell any murmuring and stares the crowd silent before continuing.
"However, like you I am concerned to see justice done. So tomorrow our Priestess will prepare a spell to enable her to speak briefly with the dead man. His testimony will help us determine the truth of the matter! If you wish to observe then return tomorrow morning - no more action will be taken until then. Sheriff, I entrust Mr Mayne to your custody tonight, until we can finally clear this matter up."
Once the crowd begins to disperse Melodie steps down from her perch and approaches Mayne and Onora.
"Regardless of how this goes Mr Mayne I feel that you are unlikely to be welcome in Stachys much longer." She says bluntly. "Even if we prove your innocence so people will always hold this against you. I have a proposal to make. If you are exonerated in the morning, as I believe you will be, I will purchase your farm from you and you will then leave Stachys and begin a new life somewhere else. I will give you a more than fair price... as long as you are honest with me." She fixes the half-orc with her stare and her voice, activating the powers of the Subtle Mask as she does so.
"How much is your farm worth? Remember I am happy to overpay, as long as you do not attempt to cheat me. Sheriff Onora will tell me if your pricing is fair."
Sara stands by Melodie's side, hurt by the suggestion he leave but not wanting to undermine her authority in front of the man.
"We're here for you, Mr. Mayne."
The crowd grumbles as bit, but they seem satisfied with Melodie's explanation. They will wait for the divination results to prove Mayne's guilt or innocence.
Mayne's eyes widen at Melodie's offer. "That's mighty kind of you, milady. I'd wager the whole farm to be worth about 200 gold."
Onora confirms this to be a fair price.
"Then we are agreed." Melodie offers Mayne her hand. "I will pay you 250 gold for your farm if you are proved innocent and you would prefer to leave town. You will be permitted to stay of course, but I suspect you would have more luck elsewhere."
------------------
On the way back to the Manor Melodie looks across to Zileska. "So how does your spell work? Do we only have a limited number of questions? What do people think we should ask?" She looks around. "Perhaps, 'how did you die' or 'what were you doing just before you died' would work?"
"While Calistria gifts me with many powers, I am but a trifling devotee. This spell calls upon some vestige of the spirit left behind in the corpse. It will speak in answer to TWO questions that I ask it. If it is uncooperative it may be evasive, but I suspect that the remnants of Mr. Sutor will want people to know that the mule killed him, so that it can be butchered," says Zileska.
"If he didn't see the attack he won't know what killed him and just asking that straight-up will not be useful. It might be better to ask 'Where were you and what were you doing when you died' and 'Do you think that Mr. Mayne killed you.' The answers are usually short - spirits of the dead do not like to linger among the living."
"You're the expert." Melodie agrees with a smile, willing to defer to Zileska's greater expertise. As they return to the house she takes Zhi's hand and beckons Zileska along with them to her tower study, where she invites them both in and closes the door.
"Zhi has spoken to me about..." She looks at Zhi and blushes. "You giving us some advice on our love life, and maybe demonstrations?" Her voice sounds a little hopeful on the last bit. "I think its a good idea. What do you think would be the best way to go about it? I've already bought a few things..."
"D-d-demonstrations?" Zhi says in shock as she turns to Melodie. She turns back to Zileska, her eyes wide.
Melodie looks at Zhi, realises what she said and ends up looking more or less the same as her girlfriend.
"No! Not like that... I meant show us some of the things and explain how you could use them!" She's blushing furiously and scrabbling for Zhi's hand. "I wasn't coming onto you Zileska I promise. Not that you aren't attractive, but I... Zhi..."
It seems to finally sink in that she's not only blathering, but making a damn fool of herself and Melodie falls heavily into her chair and shuts up.
Maria's examination of the crime scene reveals two sets of bootprints. The second set seem to belong to a heavier person, likely Mayne, and they were made more recently than the first set. This seems to corroborate that Mayne didn't arrive on the scene until after Sutor was killed.
Hoofprints in the vicinity indicate the mule was present around the time of Sutor's death.
"There's evidence of only two people being present - Sutor and Mayne - but looking at the positioning and how they overlap, Mayne clearly arrived after Sutor was already dead. Everything's pointing to the mule being the culprit."
"You would like some counseling for your budding relationship," says Zileska easily. "Something instructive rather than seductive. Of course, that is a standard part of my repertoire."
"Evenings are good. Let me know when you have an evening without any responsibilities - ha ha, funny, I know - and I can make the arrangements."
The priestess gives a kindly smile to the pair. "Such a consultation should be in as welcoming and relaxing a situation as possible, since it looks like it's already one that induces nervousness."
Zhi is visibly relieved when it becomes apparent that clothes won't be flung aside any time immediately.
"Since we're not leaving for Pensaris until after tomorrow, then we've got tonight free," Zhi says looking at Melodie expectantly. "Either that or we wait until we get back. We should probably do this in our room."
The next morning, Zileska prays over Sutor's body to communicate with the corpse. The dead man's mouth opens with a sepulchral sigh. "Ask your questions..."
"I was at the half-orc's farm trying to get my mule back..."
"No..."
The corpse sighs again and falls silent once more.
"Combined with the evidence we have gathered," says Zileska as the corpse finishes answering her questions, "I believe that this is sufficient for us to say that it was the mule that struck down Sutor, not Mayne. Even the decedent does not believe that it was Mayne who killed him."
"Very well." Melodie agrees. She turns to the townsfolk who have gathered for the demonstration. "You have seen and heard all the evidence. It is clear that Mr Mayne is not guilty to the crimes he was accused of, and I have no choice but to pardon him. Sheriff, please release him!"
With the 'prisoner' released Melodie goes over to him. "Mr Mayne, have you made a decision? My offer stands if you want to take it."
------------------
"Yes, tonight would work fine..." Melodie says, infinitely grateful that Zileska does not seem inclined to make things awkward.
"Thank you Zileska."
In the face of the dead victim's ironclad testimony, the locals are forced to admit that Mayne didn't kill Sutor. They are satisfied at the lengths you went to in order to discover the truth and know that you care about the community enough to do so.
"Yes, I reckon I'll take you up on that offer," Mayne says. "I hear everybody's starting fresh over in Jambis. Maybe I'll join them. Thank you again, Lady d'Valois." The half-orc bows awkwardly.
After finishing up Melodie's tribunal duties, a letter arrives.
Ladies of Stachys,
It has been some time since we last spoke. I recently received a shipment of fine wines from Kyonin, acquired from the elven nation at no small expense. Such exotic vintages are best shared with friends. Please come to Voinaris at your earliest convenience so that we might sample the wine together.
Sincerely,
Baroness Legate Adella Voinum
Melodie and Zhi arrive in Pensaris around lunch time, and Baron Okerra welcomes them into his citadel overlooking the town. "Back so soon? It's always a pleasure to play host to my favorite neighbors."
He clears his throat and tugs at his sleeve nervously. "Ah, um... Selli told me that you two... That... Well, congratulations," he finishes lamely.
---
Maria and Sara make it to the Beggarwood in the late afternoon. Like when you first arrived in the county of Meratt, a small mob of transients waits by the road, eager to sell wares to travelers. The two make some inroads with the crowd, who agree to lead them back to their camp to speak to their leaders.
A motley collection of caves, tents, and tree houses are gathered around Bear Pond at the north end of the forest. Several dozen refugees dwell amid these makeshift shelters. The Four Hoods themselves agree to meet in a particularly large tent. They consist of a burly female half-orc, a slender female halfling, and two humans who look like they might be brother and sister. They silently regard you, a wary look in their eyes.
---
Late in the evening, Zileska rides her horse into Jambis. The town has made quite the transformation in the past few weeks, with the vast majority of the bones and spiderwebs swept out of the streets. Even this late, workers toil to repair buildings that had suffered from years of neglect.
Baronet Vort greets the priestess at the entrance to Baron Telus's estate. "Greetings, milady! I am happy to see you again, and I'm sure His Grace will be delighted that you made the journey out here to visit. You must be tired from your travels. With your leave, I'll have the servants draw you a bath so that you might freshen up before meeting with the baron."
Melodie greets the Baron with a friendly smile and all the courtesies which such a meeting requires. "You are very kind Baron. It would mean a lot to the both of us if you and Selli could come to the wedding. A date isn't set yet but it is the kind of occasion that is always better with friends."
She takes Zhi's hand before continuing. "I'm afraid that isn't the only reason we've come. I'm sorry to ask Nicholaus, but is this room secure? Some of what we have to say is of a very personal nature."
Having received assurances, she begins. "Zhi tells me that you know of our reasons for being here and we are very grateful for your continued support and all you've done, both for us personally and for Stachys. We are planning to present our 'request' on behalf of Princess Eutropia to Count Lotheed in the near future, and we wanted to ask you what your thoughts are on the matter. You've known the Count a long time and we wanted your advice."
She smiles, slightly sadly. "Count Lotheed is an impressive man, and I believe fundamentally a decent one. I truly hope that when asked he will step aside as a good steward should. If you have any advice or ideas on how we can ensure this, and avoid a damaging conflict, then we would truly appreciate it."
"I don't think we could accomplish this without the support you've given us, Nicolaus. You've done us and the country a great service."
She steps forward to put her hand on the man's arm.
"I really appreciate it. Thank you."
She turns back to Melodie with a slight frown and taps her temple casually.
You haven't mentioned the Swan? Isn't that what Sara wanted us to tell him about?
After assuring you that the room is secure, Nicolaus sits down and steeples his fingers as he considers your words. "My thoughts, eh? Well, as I mentioned to Zhi earlier, the whole situation makes me uncomfortable. But I have seen the strength of your character for myself, and I know that you believe you are doing what is best for the people of Meratt, and all of Taldor. I hope Count Lotheed will acquiesce to your 'request,' but he is the type of man who enjoys power, and all the comforts that come along with it. It would take a mighty effort indeed to get him to relinquish his position without a fight.
"I am certain the people of Pensaris will stand with you in this cause, but I cannot join you when you speak to him. The most I can promise is that I will not interfere with your actions."
He nods to Zhi when she touches his arm.
"There's one other thing ... " Zhi says, looking at Melodie. "This might affect your stand with us. I pray it doesn't, but ... "
She takes a deep breath and then plunges forward.
"As you know, we've been working to get the support of all the forces working in Meratt. We need everyone behind us or this won't work. Everyone. Legitimate or not." Zhi looks at Melodie for confirmation. "At least one of which was pretty controversial. In fact, it wasn't a unanimous decision, but it was decided that we really needed everyone."
She waits a beat, not sure if she can even say it.
"For now, at least, we've got the support of the Night Swan. I know, I know, she should be put down like a rabid dog, but ... " She looks at the Baron. "There are a lot of people that idolize her and if we can use that for the benefit of Taldor, then ... I think ... "
Realizing that her heart isn't in it, Zhi looks to Melodie for support.
"The Night Swan? The Night Swan?!?" Nicolaus bellows. He nearly leaps to his feet, towering over both Melodie and Zhi. "You can't be serious! What the hell are you thinking trafficking with that... that... fiend?!?"
The baron balls his hands into fists, his eyes blazing with fury. "She is a miscreant and a scofflaw! She flies in the face of everything that I stand for! Everything I have built my life around! And you have the audacity to waltz in here and tell me..."
Nicolaus takes several deep breaths, struggling to get his rage under control.
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Melodie stands to meet Okerra, looking him straight in the eye as he rages. "Good for you Baron. To have your principles and stand by them, and do what exactly? Yes, Pensaris is a lovely place, you are respected and loved. Good for you, but when exactly have you ever tried to change things? You say you admire us, that we are doing the best thing for Meratt and Taldor as a whole. Why did it have to be us Baron? Why did it take people who had never lived in Meratt before, to come here and correct the wrongs?" She glares at Nicolaus until he calms down, seemingly just as angry as he is.
"You are the person who could have done something. Everywhere I have gone in Meratt they say that you are the second lord of this County - if anyone could have had an impact for good it is you, but no. You are content with your little slice, you sit there, ignore the rest and claim that demonstrates your honor? If you'd actually been working for the people, to make Meratt better then maybe there would be no Night Swan! Do you know what she stands for? She wants the nobility dead, and gone - because they are parasites who drain the life from the common people! The only reason she's not trying to kill me now is because of what we've achieved in Stachys. We made a difference Nicolaus!"
Melodie's shoulders slump as her anger runs away. "I don't like it any more than you do, but she is the enemy of my enemy and I believe that by using her, demonstrating to her in a way she cannot deny, that there are good people in the nobility too, that is the only way to stop her. The Night Swan is a legend now as much as a person, her death will achieve nothing."
She sits down again and looks up at Nicolaus with a slight smile. "About two weeks ago I was doing your routine, when my friend first told me that they'd met. I changed my mind. Not because I like the woman, and not because I think she's right, but because she stands for the people of Meratt and one thing I've learned from my time here is that no-one has done that for far too long. The Princess is going to bring change, she's going to make things better and I hope that that will send the Night Swan back into her hole - maybe even make her move on to other places, but we can't get Bartelby to leave in the first place without the support of the great and the good in Meratt."
She pauses and reaches for Zhi's hand before continuing. "You are both, Nicolaus. You are a great lord here and I know that you are a good man too. Please, you said that you trust us to do the right thing - then trust us now. If nothing else it will be my head on the block first if the Night Swan turns on us, I have a happy home and love, just as you do." She squeezes Zhi's hand gently, "You don't want to lose yours and I don't want to lose mine either."
Melodie's passionate words take the wind out of Nicolaus's sails. He sags back into the couch, deflated, and stares at his feet. "Gods, I wish Nirvenna were still here..." he says quietly.
At length, he sighs and looks back up. "I... apologize for losing my temper. You are women of honor, integrity, and compassion. It is not my place to tell you what you should and should not do. I know your intentions are noble--even if I do not agree with this particular strategy. But a word of warning--you have heard the story of the scorpion and the fox, haven't you? Do not be surprised if this ends with you getting stung."
Nicolaus Okerra is a man Zhi cares for and respects. In the presence of one such as he and in the face of such behavior, Zhi's response has been ingrained in her since an early age.
She falls to her knees and bows low, her forehead touching the floor and waits for the storm to rage over her.
~~~~
Once Melodie's said her piece and the Baron has calmed, Zhi slowly rises to her feet to take her place next to her love. She grasps her hand tightly and Mel can feel a tremor there.
She considers agreeing with the Baron, but with a glance at Melodie, she holds her tongue.
"I know Nicolaus. We're doing everything we can to avoid retaliation." Melodie agrees. "There are plenty of us as concerned about her as you - we'll be watching for the sting very carefully." She smiles as a story Zhi recently told her resurfaces in her mind. "Besides, I expect Selli would say better the scorpion than the fox, at least they don't cheat at cards!"
Zhi glances again at Melodie when she relates the fox anecdote. A squeeze of her hand follows.
Nicolaus grunts, but does not smile at Melodie's jest. "An honest villain is still a villain. Is there anything else you wish to tell me? Now is the time to do so."
Melodie glances at Zhi before shaking her head. "I think we have offered our complement of unsettling news for the day Baron." She looks at Zhi again before turning back to Nicolaus.
"Is Selli about Nicolaus? I know Zhi wanted to talk to her again and I was hoping you and I might have a word alone. Nothing bad or embarrassing I promise!" The last seems to be as much for Zhi as it is for Nicolaus.
"Go and have fun dear," She says, giving her fiancee a gentle push towards the door. "We'll be down shortly."
"Nicolaus, you are one of the people in Meratt that Zhi is closest to, and I know that she and Selli are very close. I was hoping that you would both stand with her when the wedding comes - she doesn't have any family in Taldor and I don't want her to be alone."
She looks away for a second and the blood rises slightly in her cheeks, "We haven't talked about exactly how it's going to work, but either way she'll need someone to stand beside her during the ceremony and I think we're both entitled to a bridesmaid. I was hoping you and Selli would be willing to take those roles. If it's too much to ask I understand, it's just that I can't think of anyone she'd want by her side more than you and your daughter."
She lets out a long breath at the end of the speech and waits to see how the Baron reacts.
Zhi steps forward and again places her hand on the Baron's arm.
"Please don't be angry with me, Nicolaus. Look at me. I'm a very small woman in a world that's ruled by ... many powerful men. Some of them are just and honorable."
Her hand on his arm tightens.
"Some are less so. I can't go charging into the fray like you."
She chuckles.
"I think we all saw how well that worked at the jousting tourney. I have to use different means. I know they're not the means that you would use. But please don't begrudge me for using what I can for the benefit of all. Please don't think ... less ... of me for being what I am."